whatisgithub

What is webstrike?

ssrsec/webstrike — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

68PythonAudience · developerComplexity · 4/5LicenseSetup · hard

In one sentence

A browser extension based command and control framework for authorized red team engagements, letting a tester remotely control and collect data from a target's Chrome browser.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Controls browser extension
      Live remote control
      Collects cookies and history
      Session takeover
    Tech stack
      Python
      JavaScript
      Chrome Extension Manifest V3
    Use cases
      Authorized red team exercises
      Penetration test engagements
      Security research
    Audience
      Penetration testers
      Red team professionals
    Setup
      Deploy server platform
      Generate extension agent
      Requires authorized access

Code map

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What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Simulate a browser based attack path during an authorized red team engagement.

USE CASE 2

Test how well an organization's endpoint security detects browser extension based control.

USE CASE 3

Study session and cookie based attack techniques for security research purposes.

USE CASE 4

Practice deploying and managing a command and control agent in a lab environment.

What is it built with?

PythonJavaScriptChrome ExtensionWebSocket

How does it compare?

ssrsec/webstrikediabloidyobane/driverscopenv-tlabs/artifixer
Stars686868
LanguagePythonPythonPython
Setup difficultyhardmoderatehard
Complexity4/53/55/5
Audiencedeveloperdeveloperresearcher

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Requires deploying a server platform plus generating and installing a browser extension agent, and is intended only for authorized testing.

Licensed under GNU AGPL 3.0, which requires anyone who distributes the software, including as a network service, to also share their source code.

So what is it?

WebStrike is a command and control framework built specifically for authorized security testing and red team exercises. Instead of controlling a computer process the way most command and control tools do, it controls a Chromium browser extension, meaning its point of contact is the browser itself rather than the operating system. The README states plainly that it is intended only for legal, authorized use and includes a disclaimer requiring users to have written permission before testing any system. The project has three main parts. A management platform lets an operator see every connected browser, view details like IP address, operating system, and browser version, and issue commands. Real time control lets an operator watch a live view of the target's currently open browser tab, navigate it to new pages, click on elements, fill in forms, take screenshots, and read the page's underlying structure. A task system lets an operator collect data asynchronously, such as saved cookies, browsing history, bookmarks, installed extensions, and clipboard contents, and even set rules to rewrite text copied to the clipboard within chosen websites. Because the extension has access to a logged in browser, the platform also includes a session takeover feature: an authorized operator can reuse a target's existing login session on sites like Gmail or Outlook without re entering a password, which the README ties back to authorized red team scenarios. Two additional tools support deploying the extension. One installs the browser extension silently on a target machine that has already granted the tester execution access, without needing developer mode or administrator rights. Another extracts the source code of an extension already installed and trusted on a target's browser so a tester can repackage it to look legitimate. The project is written mainly in Python for the server side, alongside JavaScript for the browser extension itself. It is licensed under the GNU AGPL 3.0. This tool is intended for penetration testers and red team professionals working within a legal, authorized engagement, not for general developers or casual users, and requires familiarity with security testing methodology and infrastructure setup.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Explain the difference between the real time control mode and the task based data collection mode in this project.
Prompt 2
Walk me through how the silent extension installer in this repo avoids needing developer mode.
Prompt 3
Help me set up a local lab environment to test the WebStrike platform and agent extension safely.
Prompt 4
Summarize the authorization and legal requirements this project states before it can be used.

Frequently asked questions

What is webstrike?

A browser extension based command and control framework for authorized red team engagements, letting a tester remotely control and collect data from a target's Chrome browser.

What language is webstrike written in?

Mainly Python. The stack also includes Python, JavaScript, Chrome Extension.

What license does webstrike use?

Licensed under GNU AGPL 3.0, which requires anyone who distributes the software, including as a network service, to also share their source code.

How hard is webstrike to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1h+ to a first successful run.

Who is webstrike for?

Mainly developer.

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